MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Taylor Swift came out on top at the 2024 MTV EMAs on Sunday, walking away with best artist, best American act, best live act and best video for “Fortnight” (featuring PostMalone).

Swift, who is wrapping up her Eras tour on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, thanked fans for the many prizes via a video message.

The UK show opened with an acrobatic Benson Boone suspended in the air on a golden grand piano, performing his viral hit ‘Beautiful Things’ and his latest release ‘Slow it Down’. Boone also took home his first EMA for Best New Act.

South African newcomer Tyla gave Swift a run for her money, winning three awards for best Afrobeats, best R&B and best African act.

Tyla performed her smash hit ‘Water’ to the EMA audience at Co-op Live, Manchester, flanked by a host of dancers, and also performed energetic new song ‘Push 2 Start’.

British singer Rita Ora, presenting the show for the third time, paid tribute to former One Direction star Liam Payne, who died last month after falling from a balcony in Buenos Aires.

Ora had a close relationship with the singer and the pair recorded a song together in 2018, ‘For You (Fifty Shades Freed)’. Addressing the crowd, she said: “I want to take a moment to remember someone. Liam Payne was one of the nicest people I knew.” Her voice broke as she asked the crowd to take a moment to remember Liam saying, “He had the biggest heart and he left such a mark on this world.”

Hip-hop legend Busta Rhymes received the EMA’s Global Icon Award from British rapper Little Simz who told the audience that this was his first award from MTV in 34 years of professional recording and that it felt incredible. The 12 times Grammy Award nominee, who has more than 10 million album sales to his name, sang a mega medley of his biggest hits ‘Break ya Neck’, ‘Touch it’ and ‘Put Your Hands Where the Eyes can See’, accompanied by dancers wearing tracksuits with gigantic dragon heads.

Shawn Mendes gave an intimate and heartfelt performance and also received the award for best Canadian act. Sabrina Carpenter took home best song honors for her hit “Espresso,” while Ariana Grande was crowned best pop act and Eminem took away best hip-hop act.

British duo Pet Shop Boys were honored with the first Pop Pioneers Award for their contribution to pop music and closed the show, accompanied by local orchestra Manchester Camerata, with a cover of David Bowie’s ‘All the Young Dudes’, followed by their iconic hit ‘West End’. Girls” in honor of the song’s 40th anniversary.

Other performers on the night included K-Pop quintet Le Sserafim, Mexican singer and rapper Peso Pluma, English singer and songwriter Raye, multi-platinum singer-songwriter Mendes, American powerhouse Teddy Swims and Mexican rock sisters The Warning .

LL Cool J, Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale, mother-and-daughter musicians Neneh Cherry and Mabel and TV and film stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Turner-Smith and Lucien Laviscount all presented awards.